New map shows South London road closures this weekend after 178-tonne transformer travels along M25

The 178-tonne transformer being carried on an especially adapted lorry to make sure it can safely manoeuvre round corners on tight South London streets
-Credit:National Grid


A second giant 178-tonne transformer will be carried along the M25 and into South London on the back of a massive lorry this weekend with road closures and diversions in place to make sure the giant National Grid equipment can arrive safely. The transformer will get a police escort as it is delivered to a substation in Brixton on Monday evening (February 3) - the same place the first was carried to in mid-January.

The transformer, weighing the equivalent of 30 African elephants, has already travelled by sea from Rotterdam to reach the Port of Tilbury. On Saturday (February 1) it will start travelling clockwise around the M25 before resuming on Sunday (February 2) to reach Junction 10, and then being carried north-eastward on the A3 via Wandsworth and Battersea, and onward through Lambeth to Coldharbour Lane.

So the 77-mile journey is completed safely a road closure will be in place on Coldharbour Lane, coming into effect at 11:59pm on Saturday (February 1) until 6pm on Monday (February 3), when it will be taken to the National Grid’s new Bengeworth Road substation, which is under construction as part of the £1 billion London Power Tunnels 2 project to reinforce the capital’s electricity network.

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The 178-tonne transformer being carried on an especially adapted lorry to make sure it can safely manoeuvre round corners on tight South London streets
The 178-tonne transformer is being carried on an especially adapted lorry to make sure it can safely manoeuvre round corners on tight South London streets -Credit:National Grid

A diversion route to access Coldharbour Lane will go up Lilford Road, across Flaxman Road, and down Kenbury Street. Residents and local businesses have been notified of the planned road closure and diversion route.

A further supergrid transformer is planned for delivery to the New Cross substation at a later date. Joe Senior, project director for National Grid’s London Power Tunnels 2 project, said: “Transformers are crucial high voltage devices needed to ensure reliable electricity supplies, and a huge amount of work goes into delivering them safely with minimal disruption.

“Our teams have been working closely with local and highways authorities to ensure a smooth operation, and we appreciate the cooperation and understanding of the local community whilst the work takes place.” Local residents and businesses can find out more about the deliveries, the London Power Tunnels 2 project, and how it is supporting local communities, by contacting 0800 093 1716 or londonpowertunnels@nationalgrid.com.

Full route of 178-tonne transformer this weekend

A map of the diversion route being put in place to access Coldharbour Lane
The diversion route being put in place to access Coldharbour Lane -Credit:National Grid

Saturday, February 1

The transformer will leave Port of Tilbury via Dock Approach Road then head westward on the A13 before joining the M25 clockwise at Mardyke Junction. It will leave at junction 9 for an overnight stop in a secure layby.

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Sunday, February 2

Resuming on the M25 clockwise, the transformer will then leave at junction 10, heading north-eastward on the A3, South Circular Road (A2025) and Swandon Way (A217), around Wandsworth Roundabout, onto York Road/Battersea Park Road (A3205), before turning right onto the A3216 (past Queenstown Road station) and regaining the A3 at Clapham Common.

It will dog-leg around Clapham Common North Side (B303/B224), before continuing north-eastward along the A3/Clapham High Street. It will turn right onto Camberwell New Road (A202) at Kennington Park, then right again onto Denmark Hill, and right again onto Coldharbour Lane (A2217), where the road closure will be in effect and it will stop overnight.

Monday, February 3

The transformer will be manoeuvred into Bengeworth Road substation.

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